Like Mikus, also FYI, I find olpc-os-builder entirely unwieldy for
customising, and use a scripted approach applied to a pristine build.
This is so that I can attach local engineering tests, missing programs
that I find essential for testing and that aren't in the build (ntpdate,
screen, pv, strace), remote monitoring, network configuration, and
remote access components to a test bed.
The method I use is to process the .zd file, generating a new .zd file,
using a script that is under change control.
http://wiki.laptop.org/go/User:Quozl/Remastering is a snapshot of the
script some time ago.
For use with laypersons, this method could be placed in a virtual
appliance with a UI that separates the components into plugins that can
be enabled or disabled.
--
James Cameron
http://quozl.linux.org.au/